Planning for Cisco Certification Examination Success

Two to eight hours of sitting nonetheless—typically utterly alone. No breaks. Somebody watching your each transfer. No snacks, no drinks, no paper, no watch, no pockets—simply a pc.

What’s the exercise? Some sort of spy coaching train? Nope. It’s a Cisco certification examination.

It’s no surprise Cisco certification exams are nerve-wracking, particularly if it’s your first one. That’s not even taking into consideration all of the learning it’s a must to do previous to the precise examination day. The place do you begin? How do you maximize your odds of passing the examination? When you’ve got check nervousness or want lodging, what are you able to do?

This weblog is right here that will help you plan for Cisco certification examination success. I’ll let you know methods to use the assets inside Cisco U. that will help you move, and share insights from two individuals who set examination parameters: Coaching Content material Product Supervisor Geoff Anderson and Studying Path Writer and Engineering Chief Mubasher Nawaz.

Why are Cisco certification exams essential?

First, in case you’re brand-new right here, slightly primer on what certification exams are and why they matter. For almost 40 years, Cisco has been a pacesetter in networking and communications options. As a networking skilled, getting a Cisco certification serves as a stamp of experience and competency in your chosen space.

Getting Cisco Licensed isn’t one thing you possibly can knock out in a day—it requires a big time dedication with loads of lively studying, observe, and examine hours. Prior to now, learners have put collectively their very own advert hoc examine packages round their chosen certification examination. Nevertheless it’s troublesome to determine precisely what content material you ought to be learning and perceive whether or not it’s high-quality sufficient that will help you move.

Beginning your certification research with Cisco U.

That’s the place Cisco U. is available in. The educational platform supplies the organized assets you could efficiently move your certification examination. The bottom line is realizing methods to make the most of all of the options and content material inside Cisco U. to make your path to certification simpler.

Even with all these assets, you’ll have to determine what examine strategies and content material varieties work finest for you.

“Bear in mind, everyone learns in another way,” Anderson factors out. “Some folks like to make use of flashcards, some love to do hands-on workouts. Experiment.” That’s why Cisco U. consists of labs, observe exams, podcasts, tutorials, programs, and movies to cater to your studying temper or wants.

What are Cisco U. Studying Paths and the way do you utilize them?

If you happen to’re new to Cisco U., you could not have but found Studying Paths. That is one of the best place for a newcomer to begin. The Studying Paths inside Cisco U. remove the guesswork of learning by placing collectively programs, labs, tutorials, and assessments multi functional place—supplying you with a whole exhaustive Studying Path that teaches you the topic from high to backside.

Can I skip across the Studying Paths in Cisco U.?

Lots of people ask whether or not they can skip round Studying Paths. The reply is…it relies upon. “If you happen to’re new to the topic, it is best to do the complete Studying Path,” Anderson recommends. “If you have already got some experience, you possibly can simply examine the topics you’re not as aware of.” In spite of everything, the purpose of the certification is that once you move, you’ll have the ability to tackle skilled duties coping with that certification—not have solely partial data.

Studying Paths additionally include assessments and self-tests alongside the best way so you possibly can be sure you actually know the topic in addition to you assume you do. And after you’ve efficiently accomplished the Studying Path, you possibly can transfer on to taking observe exams.

Give your self a aggressive edge with examination blueprints and observe exams

Subsequent, you’ll need to take a peek on the Cisco certification examination subjects on the Cisco Studying Community (and shortly to return, inside every Cisco U. observe examination overview) to develop a examine plan.

“I like to recommend learners take a look at the examination blueprint and see what subjects it covers and the way they’re weighted,” says Nawaz. “For instance, in the event you take a look at the CCNA subjects, you’ll see the primary three rely for 65% of your rating. I’d spend most of my time learning these.”

Cisco U. observe exams for the win

The easiest way to make sure you’re effectively hitting these weighted subjects is by using the observe exams in Cisco U. “If you are able to do nicely on a observe examination, you ought to be in fairly good condition to move the certification examination,” says Anderson.

Every entry right into a observe examination presents the candidate with 75 gadgets that change with each try. “I like to recommend taking the observe examination a number of instances,” Anderson says. Follow exams might be bought individually or come as a part of a Cisco U. subscription; if bought as a person title, they’re good for 180 days (about six months). Subscriptions to Cisco U. are legitimate for a 12 months.

The observe exams include the examination targets and a rating report telling you ways nicely you probably did in every space. That method, post-practice examination try, you possibly can see what subjects you’re scoring low in, swap again to the Studying Path, and redo these areas.

Follow exams may even show you how to replicate the examination day—tremendous useful for check nervousness. Extra on that later.

What to keep away from when prepping for Cisco certification exams

There’s one essential factor each Anderson and Nawaz need you to keep away from as you put together: mind dumps. “Mind dump websites are web sites the place somebody takes an examination and memorizes what’s on there, then uploads it as an inventory of check gadgets and sells it,” Anderson says.

Nawaz notes, “If you happen to can entry a mind dump website, we will additionally. We’ve devoted safety personnel monitoring them for leaked content material.”

“As soon as these examination gadgets are compromised, we swap them out. Thus, counting on these websites won’t be a shortcut to passing the examination,” says Anderson. As an alternative, sticking with high-quality studying supplies and having a stable examine plan are the keys to certification examination success.

What’s the precise Cisco certification examination expertise like?

Certification exams are supposed to present you’ve attained a degree of competency and you could carry out in a specified position, which implies they’re troublesome by nature. And this implies even the check taking setting itself is usually a little intimidating. A certification examination usually lasts for 2 to 3 hours, however a lab check for a CCIE might last as long as eight hours.

You may take a certification examination both at residence or in a check heart. “If there’s a check heart in your space, I like to recommend going there,” says Anderson.

Taking a certification examination at a check heart

At a check heart, the setting is already arrange for you, so all it’s a must to do is present up.

Different issues to know:

• You’ll have to depart your cellphone, pockets, watch, pen, paper, and calculator at residence (deliver your ID!). You may verify with the check heart on whether or not they have lockers.
• You’ll be noticed by a proctor and take the check alongside others taking non-Cisco exams.
• Toilet breaks can final not more than 10 minutes.
• There are not any drinks or snacks permitted within the examination room.
• The CCIE Lab exams embrace a 20-minute break and should embrace lunch.
• You’ll be supplied with a small whiteboard and marker to work out issues like subnetting.

You’ll be given extra particular directions that rely on the examination you’re taking and the precise check website. Learn extra about examination insurance policies.

Total, although, the one unhealthy factor about an in-person check, in accordance with Anderson, is that you could be be jealous of the individual subsequent to you who’s not taking a Cisco examination—which implies they’ve completely different testing parameters. “The contractor taking a check subsequent to me was allowed a calculator,” Anderson notes drily. Cisco exams have a calculator constructed into them.

Taking a certification examination on-line

Taking a certification examination remotely can also be an possibility, however there are extra-strict standards it’s essential to meet.

• You’ll have to indicate the proctor your examination setting to make sure there are not any books, papers, screens, or digital gadgets that would show you how to cheat.
• You have to be in a walled room with a closed door.
• No one else is allowed within the room.
• You’ll have water in a transparent glass.
• There are not any rest room breaks, for the reason that proctor can’t see what’s taking place past that room. If you happen to go away the net digicam view, your check can be over.
• Your laptop can be working software program that screens your test-taking, and it’s essential to at all times have the digicam on you.
• Throughout the examination, if deemed mandatory, the proctor could ask you to show the digicam to allow them to see the remainder of the setting.
• No paper is allowed, however you’re going to get an digital whiteboard.

Generally it’s best to arrange a special room for the day as an alternative of utilizing your typical workspace, the place you’ll must disassemble and put away all of your digital gadgets. Folks typically arrange a desk in an empty room.

For a full record of at-home testing necessities, try these on-line testing FAQs.

Recommendation for certification examination day

It doesn’t matter what, taking the examination might be nerve-wracking. Anderson’s recommendation for the massive day:

• Hydrate beforehand.
• Get an excellent evening’s sleep.
• Don’t over-caffeinate.
• Don’t freak out.

Not freaking out is unquestionably simpler stated than completed. So, irrespective of the place you resolve to take the precise examination, attempt to replicate the check setting in the course of the observe exams. Give your self a small whiteboard or digital whiteboard. Get rid of distractions. Do the observe examination with no beverage or snack. If you happen to’re profitable sufficient instances, your check nervousness ought to reduce, if not go away fully.

However what when you have a documented nervousness dysfunction or one other situation, and also you’re unsure you possibly can deal with the check setting, even with all this observe? Set your worries apart—there are lodging obtainable.

Making use of for certification examination lodging

You may qualify for a Cisco certification examination lodging by Pearson VUE (the check administrator) when you have a situation that falls into one in all these classes:

• Studying/different cognitive problems (LCD)
• Consideration-deficit/hyperactivity dysfunction (ADD/ADHD)
• Emotional, psychological, psychiatric problems (EPP)
• Bodily disabilities/power well being situations (PCH)
  • Listening to
  • Wheelchair entry
  • Bodily impairments

You’ll have to use BEFORE you schedule the check and supply documentation about your situation.

Take a look at lodging embrace:

• Textual content magnifiers similar to Zoom Textual content
• A separate testing room
• Further testing time
• A reader or scribe

If you happen to want different lodging, the check administrator might be able to assist. Go to Pearson VUE to request check lodging for a Cisco examination.

Remaining suggestions for Cisco certification examination success

As you begin learning, Anderson needs you to recollect this: “Don’t be discouraged if it takes you longer than what the coaching says. Although it says to spend 30-40 hours coaching, the common is extra like 110 hours,” he notes.

What in the event you’ve studied and practiced as a lot as you possibly can—and you continue to don’t move? Regroup and check out once more.

“If you don’t move, don’t despair,” Anderson says. “You’ll get a report with particulars on what areas you didn’t meet the mark on. This can be a excellent place to begin for making ready on your second try.”

A last notice: Many individuals taking certification exams are usually perfectionists who fret about not getting the best doable rating. If you happen to’re amongst these, attempt to calm down, says Anderson. “A move is a win!” Anderson says. “Have fun! You’ve earned it.”

Prepared to begin learning for a Cisco certification? Go away a remark under and let me know which examination you’re going for. Thanks for studying!

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